Interview With Aastha Sahni -Founder of Breaking Barriers Women in Cybersecurity (BBWIC) by Safety Detectives

SafetyDetectives recently had the privilege of speaking with Aastha Sahni, founder of Breaking Barriers Women in Cybersecurity (BBWIC). Aastha’s journey from information security student to security analyst and global community leader has been shaped by her passion for empowering women in the cybersecurity industry. Since founding BBWIC in 2021, she has built a thriving global network dedicated to mentorship, leadership development, and professional growth. In our conversation, Aastha shared the story behind BBWIC’s creation, the milestones that have fueled its success, and her advice for women looking to break into cybersecurity and rise into leadership roles.

Let’s start with your journey — what inspired you to launch BBWIC, and how did your own experiences in cybersecurity shape its mission?

My journey in cybersecurity began with my academic pursuits in Information Security Management, which ignited my passion for the field. Attending initial cybersecurity meetups and integrating into women-centric communities played a pivotal role in shaping my vision.

In early 2021, I founded the Breaking Barriers Women in Cybersecurity (BBWIC) Foundation, registered under the Canadian Not-for-Profit Act. The foundation’s mission is to empower women in cybersecurity by providing exceptional learning experiences and fostering professional development through collaboration. My diverse journey in cybersecurity, navigating roles from engineer to trainer/instructor and back to security analyst, fueled my passion for helping women in the industry globally.

Through BBWIC, I aim to support women in making career pivots and developing leadership skills via our monthly sessions, scholarships, international conference exposure, and collaboration. We host events globally, share career guidance, certification paths, and provide a comfortable environment to build interpersonal relationships. In my own journey, I found that having the right resources, guidance, network building, and mentorship is crucial to sustaining a career in cybersecurity.

Our community is dedicated to bridging border gaps and uniting women worldwide by fostering an environment rich in collaboration and partnership. As someone from India, I am proud that our community roots are deeply connected to my country and extend to several other regions, including Africa and Europe. Our mission promotes leadership building, upskilling, and personality development, ensuring that women everywhere have the support they need to succeed in cybersecurity.

BBWIC has grown into a powerful global network for women in cybersecurity. What are some of the biggest milestones or moments that made you realize you were making a real impact?

BBWIC has grown into a powerful global network for women in cybersecurity, and several milestones have underscored our impact. Our journey began as a Lean In circle in January 2021, and due to overwhelming requests, we evolved into a full-fledged community by October 2021, registered under the Canadian Not-for-Profit Act. This transformation marked the beginning of our structured and impactful organization.

Over the past 3.5 years, we have expanded to a community of over 350 members, with a LinkedIn following of more than 3,000 members. We have hosted over 50 events, including certification training sessions for CISSP, Azure, and AI, career and job interview sessions, and partnerships with prestigious global conferences such as BlackHat USA, The Diana Initiative, WomenTech Global Conference, and Day of Shecurity. These collaborations have provided our members with online and in-person passes to attend conferences and gain valuable exposure.

Our diversified monthly online sessions cover a wide range of topics, including certification training, career pivots, specific cybersecurity skill-building, and learning about different roles within the field. These sessions encompass project management, CISSP mentorship, Microsoft Azure/AI trainings, and more, providing comprehensive support for professional development.

Collaborations with global conferences have been pivotal. These partnerships have allowed us to share passes for both in-person and online events, enabling attendees from regions outside North America, including Asia, Europe, and Africa, to participate. This has fostered global connections and enriched our community with diverse perspectives.

Our career and resume sessions have been particularly impactful, helping professionals craft strong resumes and prepare effectively for interviews. These sessions have significantly influenced the career trajectories of many members, providing them with the tools and confidence needed to succeed.

With over 350 members from across the globe, including Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America, our community is truly international. We are committed to hosting events in time zones that accommodate most members, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity. Additionally, our internal community job referral system has been a valuable resource, helping members secure interviews and connect with women in various companies worldwide. This system has facilitated numerous career advancements and strengthened professional networks.

We have also received notable recognition, including the AYA Non-Profit of the Year Award in 2022 and being finalists for Non-Profit of the Year under the Women in Tech Global Awards. Our work has been featured in various media and journals, including CSO Online and Cybersecurity Ventures, highlighting our contributions to the field.

Recently, we launched the Cyber Connect initiative, which aims to foster CFP writing and research initiatives within our community, providing members across the globe with opportunities to engage in meaningful research and professional development. Additionally, we have hosted CISO sessions with industry leaders like Rinki Sethi, ex-Twitter CISO, and career pivot sessions for roles such as product management, application security, penetration testing, threat hunting, vulnerability management, and malware analysis, among many others.

These milestones collectively demonstrate BBWIC’s real impact by empowering women in cybersecurity, fostering collaboration, and providing the necessary resources and support for professional growth. Our mission is to bridge border gaps and unite women globally, creating an environment rich in collaboration and partnership. By promoting leadership building, upskilling, and personality development, we ensure that women everywhere have the support they need to thrive in the cybersecurity field.

One of BBWIC’s pillars is leadership development. In your view, what qualities or opportunities are most essential to help women rise into leadership roles in this field?

Leadership development is a cornerstone of empowering women in cybersecurity. To rise into leadership roles, several key qualities and opportunities are essential. Confidence and self-efficacy are crucial, as women must believe in their abilities and have the confidence to take on leadership roles. Effective communication skills are vital for leadership, enabling women to articulate their ideas clearly and foster open dialogue. Adaptability and resilience are necessary to navigate the constantly evolving cybersecurity landscape. Strong problem-solving abilities help women tackle complex issues and develop innovative solutions. Empathy and emotional intelligence are important for building supportive teams and maintaining a positive work environment.

Mentorship programs provide guidance and support from experienced professionals, helping women navigate their career paths and develop leadership skills. Professional development through certification training, workshops, and conferences helps women stay updated with industry trends and enhance their expertise. Networking events and online communities offer platforms for women to connect, share knowledge, and find opportunities. Leadership training programs focus on developing management skills, strategic thinking, and team building, preparing women for leadership roles. Visibility and recognition through awards, media features, and speaking opportunities help build women’s profiles and inspire others.

Many cybersecurity communities focus on upskilling — but BBWIC also emphasizes mentoring, personal branding, and collaboration. Why are these elements so important to long-term success?

Upskilling is crucial in the fast-evolving field of cybersecurity, but mentoring, personal branding, and collaboration are equally important for long-term success. Mentoring provides invaluable guidance and perspective from experienced professionals. It helps individuals chart their career paths, navigate challenges, and gain essential insights for career growth. Regular interactions with mentors can offer support, advice, and encouragement, fostering continuous development.

In today’s competitive landscape, personal branding is essential for establishing a unique identity and showcasing your talents, skills, and influence. A strong personal brand can attract connections, networking opportunities, recruiters, and other professional prospects. It helps you stand out and be recognized for your expertise and contributions.

Collaboration is key to building a robust network, gaining diverse perspectives, and enhancing knowledge. Working with others allows you to understand different cultures and environments, fostering a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to problem-solving. Collaboration also drives innovation and collective growth, making it a vital component of professional success.

Combining upskilling with mentoring, personal branding, and collaboration creates a holistic approach to career development, ensuring sustained growth and success in the cybersecurity field

With AI, cloud, and threat landscapes evolving so quickly, what areas of cybersecurity do you think offer the most exciting opportunities for women entering the field today?

The rapid evolution of AI, cloud technologies, and threat landscapes is creating exciting opportunities in cybersecurity for women. AI-driven threat intelligence is transforming threat detection and response, offering roles in threat analysis and research. Cloud security is critical as organizations migrate to cloud environments, with opportunities in architecture, compliance, and risk management.

Incident response and threat hunting require skilled professionals to identify and mitigate attacks, providing dynamic roles for women. Data protection and privacy are growing concerns, leading to high demand for compliance-focused positions. Cybersecurity policy and governance are essential for developing robust security frameworks, allowing women to contribute to strategic planning and policy-making.

These areas offer promising career prospects and opportunities for women to lead and innovate in cybersecurity, combining technical skills with strategic thinking to make a substantial impact.

For women who are just getting started — maybe studying cybersecurity or pivoting from another career — what advice would you give to help them break through barriers and build confidence?

Being proactive and self-reliant is essential for success. Actively seek internships, mentorships, and networking opportunities to gain valuable insights and advance your career. Continuous learning is crucial; keep your skills up-to-date with certification courses, workshops, conferences, and online training programs.

Engage in AI-driven cyber events like hackathons and capture-the-flag competitions to gain hands-on experience. Attend conferences and webinars to learn from industry experts and expand your network. Seek mentorship and advice from women leaders and mid-career professionals in cybersecurity.

Join professional communities like BBWIC Foundation, which is free and offers enriching experiences to its members. These platforms provide resources and support to help you succeed. Build a strong online presence by creating a professional LinkedIn profile through personal branding and sharing your achievements. Develop soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and leadership to complement your technical expertise.

Stay persistent and confident. Believe in yourself and your abilities, and don’t let setbacks discourage you. Finally, take care of your mental and physical well-being to stay focused and motivated. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful career in cybersecurity.

We have built a strong family and sisterhood through our community. Be part of communities where you feel the warmth and comfort to share your fears and leverage support to help each other. Official Interview page - https://www.safetydetectives.com/blog/aastha-sahni-bbwic/

Content Editor - https://www.safetydetectives.com/author/shauli/

Shauli Zacks